II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 743 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 30, 2009 Mr. Udall of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require air carriers to provide training for flight attendants and gate attendants regarding serving alcohol, recognizing intoxicated passengers, and dealing with disruptive passengers, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Airline Personnel Training Enhancement Act.

2.

Enhanced training

(a)

In general

Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

44730.

Training of flight attendants and gate attendants

(a)

Training required

In addition to other training required under this chapter, each air carrier shall provide initial and annual recurring training for flight attendants and gate attendants employed or contracted by such air carrier regarding— (1)serving alcohol to passengers; (2)recognizing intoxicated passengers; and (3)dealing with disruptive passengers. (b)

Situational training

In carrying out the training required under subsection (a), each air carrier shall provide situational training to flight attendants and gate attendants on the proper method for dealing with intoxicated passengers who act in a belligerent manner. (c)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Air carrier

The term air carrier means a person or commercial enterprise that has been issued an air carrier operating certificate under section 44705. (2)

Flight attendant

The term flight attendant has the meaning given the term in section 44728(f). (3)

Gate attendant

The term gate attendant means an individual working at an airport whose responsibilities include facilitating passenger access to commercial aircraft. (4)

Passenger

The term passenger means an individual traveling on a commercial aircraft, from the time at which the individual arrives at the airport from which such aircraft departs until the time the individual leaves the airport to which such aircraft arrives.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Sec. 44730. Training of flight attendants and gate attendants. .

3.

Rulemaking

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations to carry out section 44730 of title 49, United States Code, as added by section 2.